Red Alert: Cubs Bullpen blow another lead as Cubs lose 5-4 to the Reds

After taking the last game in Atlanta, the Cubs headed into their weekend series in Cincinnati on a high note. However, another bad outing by the bullpen has manager Lou Piniella already contemplating changes on his pitching staff.

You can’t go on without first mentioning the work Carlos Silva did on the mound for the Cubs. Silva, who looked good all spring training, continued that success tonight as he made his Cub debut. After allowing an early run in the first inning, Silva settled down and went the next five innings without giving up a run. His final line was 6 innings pitched, while giving up 1 run on 3 hits, and striking out 3 batters. As for the Reds Starter, Homer Bailey, the Cubs were able to touch him up  for 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, as he lasted 5 innings.

Offensively the Cubs were lead by Derrek Lee as he went 3 for4 while hitting his first home run of the season, and driving in 2 runs. Mike Fontenot also had a good game at the dish as he went 4 for 5. A day after hitting his first career home run, Tyler Colvin started in Center Field and went 0 for 4 with a walk and run scored. Aramis Ramirez, and Xavier Nady also chimed in with an RBI each.

So after watching Justin Berg pitch a 1-2-3 inning, the Cubs went into the bottom of the eighth with 3-1 lead. However, they left by having a 5-3 deficit. As the Cubs set-up men proved once again unreliable. This time it was the fault of Esmailin Caridad, who gave up a grand slam to Cincinnati’s Drew Stubbs. The Cubs were unable to surmount a comeback in the ninth innings as they lost 5-4, and their record dropped to 1-3.

Change’s a brewin

• After tonight’s game, Lou Piniella hinted that the Cubs may bring Ted Lilly up after his rehab start, and then move Tom Gorzelanny to the bullpen. Jeff Samardzija, would likely be the pitcher that would be sent down to the minors. Lilly, will make a rehab start on Sunday for Triple A Iowa.